Combination childs&#39; chair



April 7, 1953 c. H. ARMSTRONG 2,633,899

COMBINATION CHILD'S CHAIR Filed Sept. 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor 32 Charles H. Armstrong B Ema/6h WWW 119M April 7, 1953 c. H. ARMSTRONG 2,633,899

' COMBINATION CHILD'S CHAIR Filed Sept. 9, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I F g 8 Inventor I38 Charles H. Armstrong April 7, 1953 c. H. ARMSTRONG 2,633,899

COMBINATION camp's CHAIR Filed Sept. 9, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 9.

Fig l3 Fig. 12. 28

Charles H.-Armslrong v Patented Apr. 7, 1953 TUNIT'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE' 2,633,899 COMBINATION CHILDS CHAIR Charles H. Armstrong, Dallas, Tex. Application September 9, 1947, serial No. 772,931

. '1 e This invention relates to new and useful improvements in combination chairs for children and; the primary object ofthe invention is to provide a chair so designed as to permit the same to be used as a high chair, toilet seat, rocker or play seat. v

Another important object of the present in- .vention is toprovide a combination childs chair all parts of which are quickly and readily disassembled andfolded into a compact article so as 8 Claims. (01. 155-127),

Figure 91s a perspective view of the upper portion of the present device removed from the base,

to permit convenient and easy carrying thereof while traveling or. when not in use.

A- further object of the present invention is to provide a combination childs chair including a seat frame, a base therefor and novel. and improved means for lockably securing the base to the seat frame. l

- A still further aim of the present invention is v fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming'part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which? Figure lis a perspective view of the combination chair constructed in accordance with the present invention; 7 I

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially through the center of the tray used in conjunction with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the guide member fixedly secured to the arm rest, and with parts of'the arm rest broken away and shown in section; i

Figure 4 is-Tan enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane ofsection line 4--4 of Figure l; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the present invention applied to 'a chair, and with parts of each broken away and shown in section;

"Figure 6 is a" longitudinal vertical sectional view of the fastening means for attaching the present invention to a chair; "Figure 7 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8' is a fragmentary side elevational view showing .the manner in which therockers are applied to the base portion;

and showing the outer seat in a partially raised position;

Figure 10' is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing the manner in which the upper portion of the device is removably secured to the base;

. Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing the manner in which the base portion of the device is collapsible;

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the base seat applied to a training seat (shown in dotted lines); and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the arm rests are applied to the back frame.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral It] represents the upper portion of a childs chair generally, comprising a-substantially rectangular seat frame l2, preferably of tubular construction, having a pair of vertically disposed sleeves I4 fixedly secured to its rear corners, and a similar pair of vertically disposed sleeves l6 fixedly secured to its forward corners.

The numeral [8 represents a substantially U- shaped back frame having its terminal portions engaging the rear sleeves l4, and to this frame there is secured a back rest I9. The manner of locking the terminal portions of the frame l8 relative tothe sleeves I4 will be more fully described later in the description.

Projecting outwardly and forwardly from substantially the center of each leg of frame I8 are arcuateextensions 20 having slots 22 in their outer ends terminating in substantially cylindrical grooves 2-4. 'Slots 22 engage extensions 26 projecting outwardly'from one of the ends of a pair of substantially L-shaped arm rests 28 and grooves 24 engage the tongue or cylindrical lug 30 at the outer'end of the extensions 26," as best shown in Figure '13 of the drawings. "The opposite free ends 'of the arm rests,-28"engage theforward sleeves l6, and are frictionally locked in position thereto in a similar manner as'the terminals of the frame l8 arelocked t'o sleeves 14, which will later be more fully de-'- scribed.

Rig-idly secured to the arm rests l8'is a pair of opposed substantially channel-shaped guides 32 having a plurality'of longitudinally spaced apertures 34. The numeral '36 represents a'tray having a raised'annular outer edge 38; Fixedly I secured to the underside of the tray is' a pair of channel members 40 that slidably engage guides 32. Slidably mounted in ears 42 and in apertures 44 provided in the channel members 40 is a pair of locking pins 46 having their inner adjacent ends bent to form a finger gripping loop 48. Coil springs 50 embracing the pins 46 are biased between ears 42 and retaining plates 52 fixedly carried by the pins, for urging the outer ends of the pins through apertures 44 to selectively engage apertures 34 in the guides 32, as best shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

Recessed in slots at the ends of the seat frame I2 are bracket arms 54 suitably secured to the sleeves I4 and I6. These arms are secured by fasteners or the like 56, to the underside of a base seat 58, for holding the seat ina fixed posi tion relative to the seat frame. This seat is also provided with a central opening 60 with rounded edges to conform to the hind portion of an infant. are preferably secured to the lower face of the base seat adjacent opening 60 and slidably engage the fianged portion of a receptacle (not shown) disposed beneath the opening.

Hinged at the rear edge of the base seat 58 is a secondseat-orclosure 64'hav'ing a usual'latch 66 at one edge for engaging oneedge' ofthe base seat '58, when the seat 64 is in a lowered position. This latch engages one leg of the frame I8 when the seat 64 is in a raised or unused position. Also projecting downwardly from the lower face of thebase seat '58 is 'aplurality of resilient hooks 68 adjacent opening 60, that frictionally engage the edge of an opening provided in a training seat "I shown "in dotted 'lines in Figure 12.

Reference is now directed to Figure '10, wherein there is disclosed the manner in which the ends of the arm rests 28 are lockably secured to the sleeves I6, and the manner for also looking the ends of frame I8 to thesleeves I4. Although this figure illustrates more particularly the A pair of spaced parallel guides 82 method of locking the'ends of the arm rests'to the sleeves I6, it is understood, that the same method will be employed for locking the ends of the back rest frame I8 to sleeves I4.

Mounted in bores I2 in one terminal portion of the arm rests 28 and in both terminals of the frame IB are coil springs "I4 which are secured to balls "or spherical elements "I6, a portion of which normally projects outwardly from bores I2. These balls frictionally engage "recesses or detents 18 provided in the inner periphery of the upper portions of sleeves 'I4 and I6. It should be noted, that bearing plates 80 are fixedly secured in the center of the sleeves 'to limit the amount of thearm rests and frame -I8 that are engaged in the 'sleeves.

The numeral "8 2 represents'the base for the upperpor-tion of the device generally. Thisbase comprises pairs of legs '84 having bores 86 at their upper --ends in which are loosely mounted coil springs88urging ba lls 90 for snap locking the legs in 'thedetents 92 in the lower "inner portions :of the sleeves I4 and I6. Fixe'dly 'secured to substantially the center of legs 84 are-sleeves 94 ihavingoutwardly projecting integral extension's 9.6 that are pivotally mounted between'bifurcated extensions 98 projecting diagonally outward from the corners of a substantially rectangular bracing frame I00. Extensions 96 are provided withapertures I02 in which'are pivotallym'ounted locking'arms I04 having one-of their terminal portions projecting outwardly from the lower portion .of-extension 96 to provide a finger engaging portion, and the upper terminals of "the that the hooks.|:06 mayengage the lips I108. Ob-

viously, by pulling the lower terminals of the arms I04 against the frame II2 to compress the springs, hooks I06 will disengage lips I08 and the legs may be folded diagonally inward, facilitatingconvenient packing of the base when not .in use. It should be noted, that the bracing frame'is provided with diagonal cross members I that prevent disarrangement of the bracing frame .and the legs 84. Further, it should be noted that to the lower terminals of legs 84 are frictionally engaged rubber cups I I5 that prevent sliding movement of the device on a floor surface or thelike and also prevent marring of the surface on which the device is supported.

Reference is now directed to Figures 5, 6 and "7 wherein there is disclosed'the manner for attaching the device to a supporting structure such as a chair '6. In this embodiment, the supporting or fastening member comprises an upper substantially channel-shaped member I terminating in a hook I22 "at one end for en-' gaging frame I80. The opposite end of "the up per channel member I20f-is hinged to "an intermediate channel member I24 which in turn is hinged to a'l'owerchannel member I26. Slida- 'bly mounted in the lower channel member I24 is a plate 128 terminating at its lower end in "a hook I for engaging a rung I32 of 'a chair 6. A bolt and wing nut I34 fixedly carried by the plate I28 is slidably mounted in a longitudinal slot I36 provided in the lower channel member for selective adjustment of the plate relative'to said lower channel member I26. Preferably, the side edges of the channel members are rolled inwardly "to prevent harmful edges protruding therefrom.

Reference is now directed to Figure 8, wherein there is disclosed'the manner in which the device maybe converted into a rocking seat. In this embodiment, the numeral I38 represents a rocker or arcuate runner having bores I40 that engage the lower terminal "portions of pairs of legs '84, it being noted, that the cups II5 are first removed from the legs 84. 'Recesses I42 are provided in the rockers communicating with bores I40, and in which there are mounted coil springs I44 urging'balls I46 that'frictionally engage detents I 48 provided in the lower terminals of thelegs84.

For use of the device as *a high chair, the seat 64 islowered-andthe'base is applied to the chair II6 to support the same in an elevated position as shown in Figure 5. Also in this position, the seat .64 maybe :raised facilitating the "use of the device as a toilet seat.

Obviously, as shown .in Figure 1 the device is in-position to be used :as ;a play chair, and as showninrFiguret-91for use .as atoilet seat which magbeappliedto a training seat or a commode sea In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is'believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will =be-quite'apparent to "those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims. Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

. 1'. A chair comprising a substantially rectanguand held stationary on the leg portions of said back frame and having vertical key slots therein,

brace means carried by said extensions and the forward pair of sleeves for bracing the back frame to the seat frame, and means carried by said last mentioned means for retaining a child relative to said seat frame and said back frame, said brace means including a pair of L-shaped members and lugs on the longer legs of said L-shaped members received in said key slots.

2. A chair comprising a substantially rectangular seat frame, sleeves secured to the corners of said seat frame and including a forward pair of sleeves and a rear pair of sleeves, an inverted substantially U-shaped back frame having its ends received in said rear pair of sleeves, rigid horizontal extensions projecting laterally from and held stationary on the leg portions of said back frame, arm rests carried by said forward pair of sleeves, means detachably securing said arm rests to said extensions, means overlying and slidably carried by said arm rests for retaining a child relative to said back frame and said seat frame, and means for locking said last-mentioned means slidably adjusted on said arm rests...

3. A chair comprising a substantially rectangular seat frame, sleeves secured .to the corners of said seat frame and including a forward pair of sleeves and a rear pair of sleeves, an inverted substantially U-shaped back frame having its ends received in said rear pair of sleeves, rigid horizontal extensions projecting laterally from and held stationary on the leg portions of said back frame, arm rests carried by said forward pair of sleeves,

means detachably securing said arm rests to said extensions, means carried by said arm rests for retaining a child relative to said back frame and said seat frame, a pair of channel members fixed to said last-mentioned means and slidably received on said arm rests, and spring urged locking members slidably supported by said channel members, said arm rests having longitudinally spaced openings for selectively receiving said locking members.

4. A collapsible chair comprising a substantially rectangular seat frame, cylindrical members secured to the corners of said seat frame and including a forward pair of cylindrical members and a rear pair of cylindrical members, each of said cylindrical members having an upper recess and a lower recess, an inverted U-shaped back rest having its ends received in the upper recesses of said rear pair of cylindrical members, rigid horizontal extensions projecting laterally from and held stationary on the leg portions of said back frame and spaced above the rear cylindrical members, a pair of substantially L-shaped brace members having their shorter legs received in the upper recesses of said forward pair of cylindrical members, interlocking means between the longer legs of said brace members and said extensions, and a base including forward andrear pairs of uprights having upper ends received in the lower recesses of said forward and rear pairs of cylindrical members.

I 5. A collapsible chair comprising a substantially rectangular seat frame, cylindrical members secured to the corners of said seat frame and including a forward pair of cylindrical members and a rear pair of cylindrical members, each of saidcylindrical members having an upper recess and a lower recess, an inverted U-shaped back rest having its ends received in the upper recesses of said rear pair of cylindrical members, rigid horizontal extensions projecting laterally from and held stationary on-the leg portions of said back frame and spaced above the rear cylindricalmembers, a pair of substantially L-shaped brace members having their shorter legs received in the upper recesses of said forward pair of cylindrical members, interengaging means between the longer legs of said brace members and said extensions, a base including forward and rear pairs of uprights having upper ends received in the lower recesses of said forward and rear pairs of cylindrical members, means removably securing the upper ends of said uprights to the forward and rear pairs of cylindrical members, means for detachably securing the ends of said back frame to the rear pair of cylindrical members, and means for releasably securing the shorter legs of said brace members to the forward pairs of cylindrical members.

6. A collapsible chair comprising a substantially rectangular'seat frame, cylindrical members secured to the corners of said seat frame and including a forward pair of cylindrical members and a rear pair of cylindrical members, each of said cylindrical members having an upper recess and a lower recess, an inverted U-shaped back rest having its ends received in the upper recesses of said rear pair of cylindrical members, extensions projecting laterally from the leg portions of said back frame and spaced above the rear cylindrical members, a pair of substantially L-shaped brace members having their shorter legs received in the upper recesses of said forward pair of cylindrical members, interlocking means between the longer legs of said brace members and said extensions, and. a base including forward and rear pairs of uprights having upper ends received in the lower recesses of said forward and rear pairs of cylindrical members, said base including a substantially rectangular bracing frame, means pivotally securing the uprights to the corners of said bracing frame, and means for locking the uprights perpendicular to said bracing frame.

'7. A seat comprising a substantially rectangular seat frame, forward and rear sleeves secured to the corners of said seat frame, a substantially rectangular bracing frame underlying said seat frame, uprights pivotally secured to the corners of said bracing frame, said uprights having upper ends releasably mounted in said sleeves, and

' means for locking the uprights perpendicular to aaaasea 7 ring ends releasably mounted in the upper end of said rear sleeves, a pair of substantially L-shaped arm rests having forward ends releasably mounted in the upper ends .of the for- Warclsleeves and rear ends detachably secured to said. back frame, and means for locking the uprights perpendicular to said bracing "frame.

CHARLES H. ARMSTRONG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Poulnot Feb. 6, 1912 Galipp June 8, 1920 Waderlow Mar. 13, 1923 Martin July 3, 1928 Kovac Mar. 11, 1930 Huyten May 13, 1930 Uline May 5, 1942 Goldner May 2, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France May 17, 1911 France July 31, 1914 Great Britain of 1853 Great Britain of 1901 Great Britain of 1905 

